Trade winds blowing through Toronto

As the NBA season approaches its half-way mark, trade chatter is picking up around the league. The Toronto Raptors have several players whose names have come up in trade rumours, including Andrea Bargnani, the former first overall selection of the 2006 NBA draft.

ESPN Insider has recently listed the Charlotte Bobcats as a potential landing spot for the Italian power forward. The Bobcats are desperate for an upgrade at their big man positions, and while they might not have enough resources to acquire someone like DeMarcus Cousins or Al Jefferson, Bargnani’s services would certainly be within reach.

The Atlanta Hawks have been engaging in trade talks with regards to Josh Smith, but he hasn’t made any trade demands. The Raptors are one of the many teams listed by ESPN Insider as a potential landing spot for the former Slam Dunk champ.

Smith is on last year of his contract and his expiring contract status complicates trade matters. If the Raptors give up any of their young prospects for him, they run a risk of losing them for nothing for a Smith rental. So any Smith trade will have to come with a long-term guarantee, otherwise the risk is too big for the Raptors.

The Raptors also have to take Ed Davis’ play into consideration. The third year power forward has been playing great in the month of January – averaging 14.2 points and 8.3 rebounds on 55.2 percent from the floor.

If Smith is coming north of the border, then Davis will definitely be heading to Atlanta as there will be no spot available for him with Smith getting most of the minutes at the power forward slot.